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That was the most terrifying moment of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other residents surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, looking incongruous amid the celebratory atmosphere as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their stay is still unclear.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied claims that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking transport records to establish their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and prevent discrimination and polarization”.